Indian Students’ Guide to Studying MBBS in the UK in 2026

An MBBS in the UK gives you the opportunity to study at globally ranking medical colleges and access the latest medical knowledge and top-notch clinical training—making the UK’s MBBS one of the most sought-after medical qualifications in the world.

Pursuing an MBBS in the UK is an ideal start for a career as a medical professional, and if you are making your way to becoming a doctor, here’s all you need to know about following an MBBS in the UK.

Why Study MBBS in the UK as an Indian Student

Pursuing a degree in medicine from the UK can help you gain theoretical knowledge, high-level clinical training, and communication skills, allowing you to grow into a well-rounded medical professional.

With over 60 specialisations available for Indian medical students, you can also tailor your learning experience according to your interests with the modular course structures available to you at some medical colleges in the UK. Let’s find out what you can further benefit from when you pursue your MBBS in the UK:

• Top-ranking medical schools: The UK is home to many globally top-ranking medical schools based on employability, research, and their international research network.

• Globally recognised MBBS: The MBBS degree in the UK is recognised across the world and accepted by the medical authorities of many countries, so if you wish to practise medicine internationally as an MBBS graduate from the UK, you have the opportunity to build your career on the academic reputation and global recognition of your degree.

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and tech: The UK MBBS gives you the opportunity to develop your medical knowledge using advanced facilities and laboratories, providing you with insights on the latest research in medicine and medical technology developments.

• Professional training: As an MBBS undergraduate in the UK, you have the opportunity to take part in clinical training during your studies and at the end of your studies, where you can apply your knowledge and practise medicine in a real-life healthcare setting.

• Diverse and in-demand career possibilities: The MBBS degree in the UK creates possibilities for diverse careers in academic and professional pathways. As an MBBS graduate in the UK, you can choose to further your education with a specialisation or start practising medicine—either in the UK or your home country.

• Earning potential: As a qualified doctor, you will be among the highest-earning professionals in the UK, with the salary potential increasing each year as the demand for highly qualified doctors goes up.

• Ability to practise in India: As an Indian student who holds an MBBS degree from the UK, you are eligible to register with the National Medical Council (NMC) and practise in India straightaway, without having to sit for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) that all foreign-educated doctors have to sit for.

As an Indian student aiming to enter the field of medicine as a doctor, the benefits of an MBBS in the UK can give you a strong foundation as a medical professional, setting you up for success in your career. Next, let’s go over a few essential details you need to know about the UK’s MBBS, so you are better informed when you start looking into prospective medical colleges in the UK for you to apply.

Studying MBBS in the UK: Qualifications, Course Duration, and Course Content

The MBBS qualification offered at medical colleges in the UK is comprehensive and hands-on, helping you train towards becoming a highly skilled doctor. In this section, let’s find out what you can expect from an MBBS in the UK in terms of the qualification, duration of the course, and course content. Before we go into specifics, though, let’s go over the types of medicine degrees available to you in the UK.

Types of medicine degrees in the UK

The UK offers programmes in medicine at all higher study levels, including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programmes, and PhD qualifications. As an undergraduate, you will begin your medical studies with an MBBS, and then you can move on to a postgraduate programme depending on your preference to study further or start practising medicine. Here’s what you can expect at each study level:

• Undergraduate: As an undergraduate, you can pursue a Bachelor’s degree in medicine that provides you with comprehensive medical knowledge and clinical skills needed to become a practising doctor. Admissions to undergraduate medicine courses are highly competitive and typically require high grades in science subjects.
• Postgraduate: Once you complete your undergraduate degree and the post-study training, you can resume your medical education with postgraduate medicine courses in the UK. These include Master of Science (MSc) degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and postgraduate certificates. You can complete them part-time or full-time, so if you wish to practise medicine as you follow your postgraduate, you have the opportunity to do so.
• PhD: PhD programmes in medicine give you the chance to conduct in-depth research in a specific area of medicine of your preference. These programmes typically last for three to four years and require a significant amount of independent research. If you would like to earn a doctorate while you practise medicine or if you would like to go into academics as a researcher or a professor, a PhD programme in the UK can help you achieve your goal.

There are many opportunities in the UK for a student or professional in medicine, should you choose to pursue research and academics after completing your undergraduate. Now, let’s find out how long it will take for you to complete each qualification.

Course duration for MBBS, postgraduate, and PhD in the UK

Becoming a doctor requires intensive learning and training—this means it takes longer than a usual undergraduate degree to earn a medical qualification. Let’s learn about the duration for each level of medical studies in the UK.

The years of study and clinical practice depend on the medical college offering the programmes and your research interest. As the schedules can vary, make sure to look at the duration and the structure of the degree, especially when you are looking up the MBBS programmes in the UK for your undergraduate.

Now, let’s learn in detail about the MBBS in the  UK, starting from the qualifications available for you as an undergraduate.

MBBS in UK: Degree Abbreviations

The UK’s medicine qualifications are written in a few different ways, with different degree abbreviations. They almost always refer to the same qualification, but being familiar with all the variations before you start your research into prospective medical schools in the UK is a good idea:

The degree abbreviation will depend on the university you are applying to, so if you come across an abbreviation you are not familiar with, it’s best to look it up before you continue your research.

MBBS in the UK: course content

The MBBS degree in the UK provides medical knowledge and training in diverse subject areas essential to a prospective doctor. The course content and schedule for an MBBS degree programme may differ according to the offering university, but we’ve put together a schedule for your reference based on subjects taught at most universities.

In addition to the above, some universities may offer a ‘year 0’ —a foundational course that spans a year, covering essentials like English for medical sciences, scientific communication in medicine, and investigative skills. Some medical colleges provide students with the opportunity to start practical training in the affiliated hospital in the first year or the second year itself. So when you are exploring your options for medical colleges in the UK, it’s best to look at the curriculum and course schedule of the MBBS programme to find out what to expect during your undergraduate study.

Now that we’ve gone through an overview of the MBBS in the UK, let’s explore the universities and medical colleges in the UK that accept Indian students for their medicine programmes.

Top-ranking Universities in the UK for MBBS

These universities in the UK are globally recognised for their research excellence, the employability of their graduates, and their academic reputation. Their MBBS degrees are considered some of the best in the world—the graduates of these MBBS programmes are highly sought-after, and if you earn your MBBS at these top-ranking universities, you will have many opportunities to build and further your career, leaning into the international reputation of your degree. Let’s have a look at their global ranking and tuition fees:

The medicine programmes offered at these top-ranking universities can require a significant financial investment, if you are looking for more affordable options for your MBBS in the UK, we are covering that next.

MBBS in the UK: Most Affordable Colleges for Medicine

These colleges in the UK offer low-cost MBBS programmes in the UK, so if affordability is a key factor when choosing an MBBS to follow, these colleges are worth looking into. If you want to learn more, our guide on the cheapest MBBS in the UK can help.

You can consider these low-cost MBBS programmes in the UK when you are researching for a medical college to earn your degree. As you research, you may also need to consider looking for UK universities that have been recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Let’s have a look at them next.

MBBS in the UK: MCI Recognised Universities

‘MCI Recognised’ or ‘MCI Approved’ means that the college offering the MBBS programme has been assessed and accepted by the Medical Council of India (MCI). If you pursue an MBBS in an MCI-recognised college, you have the chance to register at the National Medical Commission as a practising doctor without sitting for the Foreign Medical Graduates Examination (FMGE). Here’s a list of MCI-approved universities in the UK that you can consider when researching MBBS programmes in the UK.

We’ve gone through many medical colleges and universities in the UK that offer medicine degrees to international students and next up is to find out how to get accepted into the MBBS programmes offered at these universities.

MBBS in the UK: Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students

Getting into an MBBS programme in the UK is challenging because of the competitive entry requirements. You need to show excellent grades in relevant subjects, show a personal capacity to study medicine, and indicate your language proficiency. Let’s go over them one by one.

Academic qualifications for an MBBS in the UK

Hundreds of domestic students and international students apply for MBBS programmes in the UK, so your academic records from school have to be exceptional to stand out from among the applications that show similar academic qualifications.

Generally, as an Indian student applying for MBBS in the UK, you need to have completed the 12th Standard with high scores in three science subjects. Biology and chemistry are often mandatory requirements, while the third subject can be physics, mathematics, or a relevant subject. These subject requirements and the scores you need to have in each subject are unique to each university, so you may need to go through the academic requirements in each MBBS programme you are considering to apply. Here’s a look at the academic requirements of a select few MBBS programmes in the UK.

Required academic qualifications by universities for MBBS

Aptitude tests for an MBBS in the UK

UK universities need you to complete an aptitude test to be eligible to apply for an MBBS programme. These tests measure your subject-specific knowledge and critical thinking skills, indicating that you can pursue medicine and eventually enter into the healthcare field as a doctor.

• UCAT: University Clinical Aptitude Test, or UCAT (formerly known as UKCAT), is an aptitude test for students applying to medical and dental programmes in the UK. It tests your verbal reasoning, decision-making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, and situational judgment skills.
• NEET: National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) is an entrance exam conducted in India, testing your subject-specific knowledge and qualifying you to study medicine as an undergraduate. You are eligible to sit for the exam if you’ve completed the 12th Standard or equivalent.

As an Indian student applying for an MBBS degree programme in the UK, you may have to sit for UCAT and NEET both and meet the required score or you will be required to show scores from either UCAT or NEET. The required score can vary according to the university, so let’s have a look at different aptitude test scores listed by a few universities in the UK.

Required aptitude tests by universities for MBBS

Language proficiency tests for an MBBS in the UK

UK universities require proof of your English language proficiency and will indicate which tests and test scores they accept. Generally, most universities accept IELTS or TOEFL. Some universities recognise that your secondary education would have been conducted in English, and if that’s the case, they only require you to show your English exam results in 12th Standard.

Required language proficiency tests by universities for MBBS

These academic and non-academic requirements that your MBBS programme needs you to meet might seem challenging at first, but there are preparation support and practice tests that you can access to get through aptitude and language tests successfully—you can reach out to our counsellors for support and guidance when you need it.

Cost of Pursuing an MBBS in the UK as an Indian Student

As you explore your choices of medical colleges in the UK, you need to look into the potential cost of living in the UK while studying for your MBBS. Understanding the costs you can expect helps you approximate the financial investment needed for your medical education in the UK.

Tuition fees for an MBBS in the UK

MBBS programmes in the UK can cost from £28,000 to £75,000 in the first year, depending on the universities that offer the degree. Your tuition fees for the clinical training years can be higher than your first-year fees, and as some MBBS programmes offer international internships, there will be a cost involved to facilitate the internship as well.

In most universities, the tuition fee covers your additional expenses as an MBBS student, like your lab coat, dissection instruments, and workbooks—you may need to check with your programme coordinators to see if which fees are covered in the tuition, and which fees you have to additionally pay to facilitate your medical studies in the UK:

• Textbooks: You may need to purchase textbooks each year according to your curriculum.
• Stethoscope: You need to purchase your stethoscope, especially as you begin clinical training.
• Health insurance: International students in the UK are required to have health insurance—this is especially important for MBBS students as you need health insurance to complete your MBBS programme.
• Professional memberships: If you are interested, you will be able to join medical associations and societies on campus, and if you do, you may incur a membership fee.

Pre-arrival fees for an MBBS in the UK

These are the costs involved in the application and admission process. The expenses can vary for each student, but a general breakdown may look like this:

• Student visa fee: £490
• UCAS application fee: £28.50 for 2026 entry
• Standardised tests and aptitude tests: £115 – £270
• The initial deposit paid out to the university to confirm your place in the programme: Depends on the programme (Some universities do not charge this fee)

Cost of living in the UK

The cost of living in the UK can vary depending on the region, so once you shortlist a few MBBS programmes you would like to apply to, you can look into the cost of living in the area and plan your finances accordingly.

Until then, here are some expenses that you can expect in your monthly cost of living:

These estimates can give you a general understanding of the costs you have to cover, but the actual costs can be different as your living costs depend on the programme you are applying for, the city you will be living in, and your lifestyle. For example, some universities provide student housing and travel costs for placements during training, so you may benefit from a subsidised cost or no cost at all for some expenses. It’s best to look up your MBBS programme’s fee structure and university provisions to find out which expenses are covered or subsidised by your college, and which are not.

Now that we’ve looked at the expenses you may expect, let’s learn about how you can receive support for your education in the UK with a scholarship.

Scholarships for Indian Students Applying for MBBS in the UK

There are scholarships funded by the government, benefactors, and the universities that can help fund your MBBS education in the UK. Most of them are merit-based, so you may need to show excellent academic records, but if you are eligible, it’s worth applying to a scholarship of your choice.

Your preferred university may offer scholarships and bursaries for international students with academic excellence and financial need, so when you are exploring your shortlisted MBBS programmes, make sure to check for scholarships that you can be eligible for.

Applying for a scholarship as an Indian student

Applying for a scholarship is similar to applying for your visa, but with fewer documents. If you are eligible for a scholarship offered by the government or your university, you need to share these documents to be considered for the scholarship.

• Letter of intent: Similar to a statement of purpose, this letter needs to show your academic and professional goals and detail why you are a fit for the scholarship.

• Academic records: Your academic performance will be evaluated, so you need to share certified copies of your academic records. If you have certificates or documents showing the extracurricular activities you participated in, you can append them to your academic records.

If you need to find out more about scholarships you may be eligible for, our scholarship search can help.

Career Prospects with an MBBS in the UK

Whether you’re aiming to practise medicine in the UK or return to your home country to begin your career, your MBBS qualification from the UK can open up many opportunities in medicine and healthcare fields worldwide. Let’s find out what’s in store for you after you earn your degree and complete your training.

Employability as a graduate with an MBBS from the UK

An MBBS qualification from a UK university is considered thorough and highly relevant to the healthcare needs at present, and that is reflected in the employability rates of medicine graduates in the UK. Let’s have a look at the top 10 UK universities with the highest employability rates in the field of medicine, 15 months after graduation.

International recognition for an MBBS from the UK

Your MBBS from the UK is recognised by the National Medical Council (NMC), allowing you to practise in India straightaway once you return home from your studies and training in the UK.

As the UK MBBS is recognised internationally, you have the opportunity to practise medicine outside of India as well—you only need to register with the country’s medical authority and pass relevant exams most countries have set in place for foreign medical graduates.

Salary potential with an MBBS in the UK

If you are interested in practising medicine in the UK, here’s a look at the salary potential you gain in a few professions you can enter into after a few more years of study and practice.

*Sourced from Payscale in October 2024.

Practising Medicine in the UK as an Indian student

If you wish to remain in the UK and practise medicine after you complete your MBBS, there are a few steps you need to take as you come to the end of your final year of your MBBS. Let’s have a look:

Your career as a medical professional in the UK can begin as soon as you complete your studies and clinical training and accept your first placement as a junior doctor. If you wish to pursue further education though, your career may start slightly differently. Let’s find out in the next section.

Postgraduate Studies after an MBBS in the UK

If you are interested in further studies right after completing your undergraduate programme, you can apply for a postgraduate programme in medicine and pursue a specialisation. You can pursue a Master’s degree in an area of medicine you want to learn more about and work towards a specialisation in a specific field. Most postgraduate courses offer a part-time schedule as well, giving you the freedom to continue your medical education while practising as a doctor. Let’s have a look at specialisations in demand in the UK:

• Anaesthesiology: The practice of giving anaesthetics (substances to stop patients feeling pain during operations)
• Dermatology: Diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders
• Diabetology: Research and treatment of all types of diabetes
• General practice: Community-based medical practice, treating patients with minor or chronic illnesses
• Gynaecology: Treatment of diseases specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the reproductive system
• Internal medicine: Diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the internal organs of the body
• Neurosurgery: Diagnosis and treatment of patients with injury to, or diseases/disorders of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column, and peripheral nerves
• Ophthalmology: Diagnosis and treatment of disorders relating to the eye and vision
• Orthopaedics: Diagnosis and correction of deformities of bones or muscles
• Paediatrics: Health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents
• Pathology: The study and diagnosis of disease
• Surgery: Treatment of injuries, diseases, and deformities, often involving cutting into the body

If you are aiming to specialise in a specific field, you may need to identify postgraduate opportunities that align with your goals. Your journey towards a medical specialisation in the UK begins as you apply for your MBBS in the UK, so let’s find out how the MBBS application process works for an Indian student.

Applying for an MBBS in the UK as an Indian Student

Most medical colleges in the UK accept applications through UCAS—the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service that manages undergraduate applications to UK universities. Your preferred MBBS programme would have a UCAS code, which you can use to refer to the programme when you apply via UCAS. Let’s go over the complete process, covering how to fill out your applications and the documents you need to put together.

Application process for an MBBS in the UK

• Register with UCAS: Register yourself in the UCAS Hub and complete the registration questions, including the year you want to start your studies and the study level you are applying for—in this case, undergraduate. Once the registration is complete, you will be taken to the UCAS Hub dashboard, where you can begin filling in your application.

• Filling in your application: Fill in the application with your personal details, academic information, and employment details (if applicable).

• Select your course choices: Choose up to five courses—you can do this later as well.

• • Write your personal statement: Write about why you’ve chosen a particular course, your skills, and your achievements. You have a minimum of 1000 characters up to 4000 characters to write your personal statement.
  • Submit your application: Review your application once completed, read and agree to the UCAS declaration, and hit submit.

• Get a reference: Choose a teacher, advisor, or professional who knows you academically, and get them to add a recommendation for you. Your application cannot be processed until your referee has filled out the written recommendation.

• Pay your application fee: Complete your payment to UCAS—it will be £28.50 for 2026 entry.

As your application is processed via UCAS, most of the documents you need to send to the university are appended in the UCAS application itself. Let’s have a look at the documents you need to prepare in advance so you can include them when you are applying through UCAS.

Documents needed to apply for an MBBS in the UK

• Personal statement: A personal essay that highlights your academic achievements, your interest in the MBBS programme and the university, and career goals. You can compile this early and keep it ready to add to your UCAS application.

• Written recommendation: A letter of endorsement from a professional/ mentor/ supervisor, recommending you for the MBBS programme. You need to talk to your chosen referee and let them know in advance how they need to fill in the written recommendation in your UCAS application.

• Academic records: Transcripts of your academic records. International students may need to send proof of academic performance directly to the university. You may have to send in your transcripts soon after you apply or after the university has assessed your application—this depends on the preference of the university.
• Proof of language proficiency: Your scores in the required English language proficiency test. These scores may need to be sent directly to the university as well.
• Aptitude test scores: Your UCAT and/or NEET scores. You are not required to include UCAT scores in your UCAS application as they will be directly sent to your university, but you do need to sit for the test early enough for the scores to be processed on time.

Your application will be reviewed alongside your UCAT scores to determine if you are a fit for the programme, so you need to be extremely meticulous with your application and the supporting documents. If you need support with your application, our counsellors will be able to support you with our free application services.

Student Visa for Your MBBS in the UK as an Indian Student

Indian students entering the UK as undergraduates need to apply for a student visa—the visa application process can be challenging, so it’s best to learn about the process before you start your visa application process.

Visa application process to follow as an Indian MBBS student

• Step 1: Fill in your student visa application form via the GOV.uk site
• Step 2: Submit your documents, either:
  • Online, when filling out your application
  • At a visa application centre
• Step 3: Book a biometrics appointment with your closest visa application centre
• Step 4: Attend your biometrics appointment and if you’ve chosen to do so, submit your documents on the same day
• Step 5: Attend a visa interview if you’re asked to do so

While this process can seem complicated and lengthy at first, preparing your documents early can give you a head start with your visa application. If you need support with your visa application, our visa experts can help you through our visa assistance service.

Documents needed for visa as an Indian MS student

• A current passport
• Your CAS from your university
• Documents to show financial evidence, which can include:
  • A letter confirming an educational loan
  • Bank documents of current accounts, deposits, savings accounts, pensions, and/or investment accounts
  • A letter from your parents or guardian if they’re funding your studies, along with a legal document showing your relationship to them and their financial documents
  • A letter from your financial sponsor if you have one, which includes their contact details and the amount of money they’ll provide for you
• An ATAS certificate, depending on your chosen study programme
• Your TB test results
• Written consent from your financial sponsor (if applicable)

If you want to read more about the documents needed for your visa and how the visa application process goes, our guide on UK Student Visa: Checklist of Documents You’ll Need To Apply can help.

If you are thinking of applying for an MBBS in the UK, counsellors at StudyIn can help with our tailored service for medicine applicants. We have guided thousands of students in their research on medical schools in the UK, application support and helping them pursue their dream of becoming a UK-qualified doctor. If you need any information or support, reach out to us.

FAQs

What subjects do I need to study medicine in the UK?

Chemistry and biology are often compulsory subjects, and some medical schools will require an additional subject in either maths, physics, or another science-related subject.

Can I study MBBS in the UK for free?

No, you can’t pursue an MBBS in the UK for free. However, you can apply for funding support with a scholarship or a student loan.

How much does it cost for Indian students to study medicine in the UK?

The cost of studying medicine in the UK for Indian students can range from £25,000 – £45,000 per academic year for undergraduate courses. The fees for postgraduate courses can cost up to £39,500 per year. While medicine courses can be expensive owing to the long course duration and access to specialist equipment and training, you can apply for scholarships, grants, and bursaries to support your tuition.

Can I do PG after MBBS in the UK?

Yes, you can begin your postgraduate studies immediately after you complete the MBBS degree.

Can international students go to medical school in the UK?

Yes, most MBBS programmes in the UK are open to international students who meet the eligibility criteria set by the university.

Is the UK costly for Indian students?

The average cost of living in the UK is around £15,000 per year in London and £12,000 in the rest of the UK. This means that the average international student can expect to spend between £24,000 and £26,000 per year living and studying in the UK.

Is IELTS required for MBBS in the UK?

Yes, the IELTS score—or any accepted English proficiency test score—is a requirement for admission to your preferred MBBS in the UK.